This session is a workshop/discussion during which participants get to dive deeply into the history of Contrology and Joe Pilates, and extract the original intentions behind the work. The origins of the Pilates tradition serve as an inspiration to begin a conversation about running successful businesses and reposition Pilates within the current fitness and wellness landscape today.Duration: 2 hour session with instructor Benjamin Degenhardt

Benjamin Degenhardt has been involved in the world of movement and Pilates education for over 15 years, and has presented his work at numerous conferences and training facilities around the world.

A teacher of teachers, Benjamin is the creator of innovative programs that combine his extensive experience in Pilates and fitness and his background as a professional dancer and dance teacher with his accomplishments as an educator in the movement field.

Most notably, Benjamin has developed 360° Pilates, acurriculum dedicated to bringing to life the work of physical culture pioneer Joseph Pilates. 360° Pilates is distinct in the current landscape of Pilates education for its philosophy-based approach, and its consolidation of the traditional method with a contemporary understanding of movement, health and fitness training.

Benjamin develops his programs with the needs of movement and fitness professionals in mind, and offers teacher training, immersive training, individual coaching sessions and online learning.

Benjamin began studying the Pilates method in 1998, has completed classical and contemporary training programs and is certified through the Pilates Method Alliance. Prior to founding 360° Pilates, he served as Lead Teacher Trainer for the Equinox Pilates Institute in New York City and Boston and maintained status as a top-tier and top-producing instructor within Equinox’s nationwide Pilates program for several years. Benjamin holds additional credentials as a Simonson Technique Teacher and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Specialist, and continues to study with a diverse group of experts in the movement field.

His teaching methodology is strongly informed by his extensive research of the history and evolution of Joseph Pilates’ traditional work, as well as his passion for the physical culture movement. In addition to teaching and presenting, Benjamin serves as a coach and consultant for individual teachers and reputable companies alike, helping them elevate their services and programming in the current fitness and wellness landscape.

Benjamin is also a dedicated writer whose blog was named one of the most impactful Pilates blogs on about.com; a featured teacher on Pilates Anytime, Pilates on Demand, and Pilates Style Magazine; and the mastermind behind March MATness—an annual global awareness campaign for Pilates Mat work.